Samsung Epix ID1 Software Update

Windows XP Installation Instructions

Windows Vista Installation Instructions

Samsung Epix ID1 Update Overview

Samsung has released the ID1 Update, an update to the Samsung FOTA update, and so far it looks like a great release.

The Samsung Epix ID1 Software Update fixes the following problems:

• ”Slog Dump” Fix: On certain circumstances, the Samsung Epix may report a “Slog Dump” error message. This software provides an update to the network layer which prevents the problem from occurring.
• Missed Email Audio Notifications: A previously released cab file for notifications is included in ID1. This enables the Samsung Epix to provide audible notifications alerts for your emails when the device enters an unattended power saving mode.
• Outlook Notes SSP Support: The update contains the ability to synchronize the popular Notes feature available within Microsoft Outlook.
• Ascending Ringtone: Ringtone behavior design was set to ascending/escalating volume during inbound call regardless of setting specified. With this update, the handset will act in accordance to the volume settings selected.

This Samsung Epix ID1 Update  also resolves (and doesn’t introduce) issues that the Samsung Epix FOTA Update introduced:

• No freezing when making an outgoing calls.
• Incoming calls are not incorrectly sent straight to voicemail.

Possible new issues

• Some users report inability to use GPS with Google Maps, Garmin XT or MS Live Search – however many, including myself have no problems with this.
• Some users report a decrease in battery life. I have not noticed this.

Despited the possible new issues, I highly recommend this update.

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My Experience

I updated my Samsung Epix using this method about 1 week ago and my Samsung Epix is 100% more stable now. I previously had daily lock-ups where I had to pop the battery out to reset my phone, but I haven’t had a single problem since the update.

A couple things to note:

• I upgraded using a computer runinng Windows XP SP2.
• I had to switch my Samsung Epix’s USB Connection back to ActiveSync (from Modem) before the Updater would connect to my phone.
• My upgrade process froze at the very end during “Change USB OK“. I disconnected the USB cable and restarted my Samsung Epix and everything was fine.
  • It turns out if your Update fails during “Change USB OK”, the OS Update is applied, but the updates to the radio (the device in your phone that lets you communicate with AT&T’s network, not an AM/FM radio ) didn’t happen. Pgens offers some suggestions on how to fix this in the comments.
  • I had some time today and performed the Samsung Epix ID1 Update again in hopes that the Change USB OK issue would be resolved.I ran the SGH-i907 updater per the instructions and this time the update ran to completion. If your updater halted at Change USB OK, i suggest closing all other applications including your web browser and re-running the ID1 updater.
• Make sure to backup all information saved on your Samsung Epix before performing the update (data on your SIM or SD Card is safe).
• My GPS is working correctly in Google Maps post update  - I haven’t tried any other applications the use GPS yet. Some users report they cannot use GPS post-update (See the comments).

Samsung Epix FOTA Update

UPDATE: Use the Samsung Epix ID1 Update instead of the Samsung Epix FOTA Update.

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I’ve been debating posting about this update for a week or so now since the AT&T forums are rife with outrage over the problems the update is causing.

Samsung has released a second update for he Samsung Epix that fixes a whole slew of issues and is a must have for any Samsung Epix owner.

This update, known as the Samsung Epix FOTA (Firmware Over-The-Air) Update in the community, is only available by calling AT&T at 1-800-331-0500 and requesting they send the update directly to your phone.

This update fixes:

• No more SLOG dump messages
• HSDPA (3G) will not allow for faster data transfer rates
• E-mail notification alerts even when asleep
• No more ascending ring
• Outlook Notes sync via Activesync

Things that are newly broken:

• Many people report their Samsung Epix randomly freezing for approximately a minute when trying to dial. Please note that there are people that report not having any problems after the Update.

Things to know if you plan on updating:

• This update is permanent and cannot be undone.
• It is reported that a Hard Reset (erases all data stored on the phone) is needed after update to decrease quirky behavior.
• When calling AT&T and the rep doesn’t know what you’re talking about, reference AT&T Knowledge Document: KB102268.

I have yet to update my Samsung Epix because 1) I haven’t wanted to deal with the hassle of calling AT&T and 2) the freezing issue sounds like it could be a real nuisance.

Anyhow – i’ll leave the descision up to each of you. Here are some good resource to read over before taking the plunge.

• Instructions on how to get AT&T to send you the FOTA Update
• AT&T forum thread discussing the FOTA Update
• AT&T Knowledge Base Document discussing the update

HTC Ringtones

Download

Storm717 over at HoFo put together a CAB file of a bunch of HTC ringtones.

Do watch out, if you’re directly downloading this file to your Samsung Epix and don’t have unlimited data — this CAB file is 5MB!

I like “normal” ringtones, so my favorites are Ring-Generic 1 through 4 and Ring-Old Phone 1 and 2.

Again, big thanks to Storm717 for putting this together!

Samsung Today 2.0

Download

Samsung released a modification to their popular Samsung Today homescreen that replaces the AT&T Navigation link at the bottom with a much more useful Calendar listing.

Just install the CAB file on your Samsung Epix and  go to Start > Settings > Today > Items tab  and select  Samsung Today.

The addition of the Calendar items is a great addition to this already great Today screen.

Remove ascending ring

Download

Attention: This hack overwrites the Samsung E-mail Notification Patch. Until an work around is discovered, you’ll have to choose between the two.

Have no fear, the days of missed calls due to Samsung’s ascending ring have come to an end!

Stephen has come to the rescue with the NonEscalatingRing.CAB that makes your Samsung Epix’s rings start at full volume.

Thanks for the heads up on this one Stephen, everyone with a Samsung Epix is forever in your debt!

Crosswords (Scrabble clone)

Direct Download (Download Page)

Crosswords (or somtimes called Xwords) is a great Scrabble clone for the Samsung Epix. The interface isn’t as polished as it could be, but it works, its fun and its free so I’m not complaining! You can load it up with a number of different dictionaries available here – but the default dictionary is fine for my limited vocabulary

Anyhow – its a great game for the Samsung Epix that’s good for the ole brain.

Crosswords lets you play against your Samsung Epix or in multi-player mode. It also has a number of features including hints, undo, etc. Despite looking rough around the edges it’s actually a very good Scrabble clone.

Big thanks to Eric House for making Crosswords for the Samsung Epix!

Google Sync

Setup Instructions

In a brilliant/foolish move Microsoft has licensed its ActiveSync technology to Google. 

What does this mean for you? Now you can get Gmail and Google Calendar on you Samsung Epix, and even sync your Google contacts!

 
 

Note: I believe you can only have a single ActiveSync connection set up on your Samsung Epix. If you already have a source setup for ActiveSync, you won’t be able to add Google as an ActiveSync source (unless you remove your existing ActiveSync source).

Remove or modify exchange policy

Download (Requires .NET Compact Framework 3.5)

For all of you that sync your Samsung Epix with an Exchange server that has a security policy, here’s an application for you! The Exchange Policy Patcher lets you control which, if any, Exchange policies you want to have enforced on your Samsung Epix. If you’re sick of entering a PIN to unlock your phone then check this out.

One really nice thing about removing your Exchange server’s security policy is you can use the Red key on your Samsung Epix to lock it – and unlock it using the * key. Oh, and did I mention this app was written by a Microsoft employee? Woot!

After removing the security policy from your Samsung Epix, go to Start > Settings > Personal tab > Lock to remove your PIN password. After this, you can hold down the Red hang-up/lock key for about 2 seconds to lock your phone!

If you get an error screen when you launch it for the first time, you probably need to install the .NET Compact Framework 3.5.

Note: most companies enforce an Exchange security policy for a reason. Please understand what you are doing in removing the Exchange security policy – I nor the author of this application are responsible if someone that shouldn’t gets ahold of your Samsung Epix!

Dungeon Master

Download

A couple weeks ago I had a wave of nostalgia and wanted to play Dungeon Master, one of my favorite games for the Apple IIGS. I figured there had to be an emulator or a port for Windows, so I hunted around. Low and behold I found an awesome site over at www.dungeon-master.com that linked out to not only a superb Windows port, but also a Windows Mobile port. Needless to say I immediately wet myself realizing I could play Dungeon Master on my Samsung Epix. Anyhow, it took some tweaking of the interface to make everything fit, but I think I got it to a place where its usable on the Samsung Epix’s 320 x 320 screen.

If you haven’t played Dungeon Master its a very cool/old-school RPG where you choose 4 heros to run around a dungeon killing monsters, collecting cool gear and figuring out puzzles — it’s  incredibly fun.

When tweaking the interface I had to remove the direction buttons and the status message box. To move you can use the following keys:

• Move forward – K 
• Turn left – J
• Turn right – L
• Slide left – N
• Slide right – .
• Move backwards – M

The key mapping make it pretty easy to hold onto the Epix with your left hand, moving your heros using your thumb, and keeping the stylus in your right hand tapping away at the screen.

Unfortunately there isn’t room for the status messages so you’ll have to live without them until  new version of the port is released that handles better resizing of the controls.

Note, you can download and play different dungeons. To play the new dungeons, download the .dat file and save it to /Program Files/DUNGEON.DAT  … of course, back up the existing DUNGEON.DAT before overwriting it with your new dungeon file. I recommend storing a copy of your DUNGEON.DAT files in /Program Files/Dungeon Master/Other Dungeons.

Huge thanks to Paul for creating this awesome port!

Remove AT&T Fn Shortcuts

Download

As you’ve probably noticed, AT&T loaded your Samsung Epix up with a bunch of junk like that AT&T Mall, AT&T Music, etc. One of the slightly less annoying things they did was hard code some preset Fn-key shortcuts to these programs. Not only can this cause you to accidently launch these apps, but it also prevents you from using the preset Fn key combinations to launch other apps that you might actually use.

This hacks removes 4 of AT&T’s preset shortcuts so can make them link to anything you like.

This hack removes the following AT&T Fn Shortcuts.

• Fn-C: AT&T Mall
• Fn-M AT&T Music
• Fn-V: Cingular Video
• Fn-W: Media Net

After installing this hack, go to Start > Settings > Personal tab > FN Key Settings and set the C, M, V and W buttons to link to anything you like!

I left the AT&T preset B, H and N Fn-key mappings because I thought they were actually useful (Bluetooth On/Off, Headset Manager and Mouse On/Off).